Pacers
Pacers outscore Pelicans 37-28 in the fourth to win 123-120 in New Orleans
The Pacers beat the Pelicans 123-120 at Smoothie King Center. Indiana shot 52.2% and won the paint 64-48 after trailing 66-56 at halftime. The win moves Indiana to 1-1, while New Orleans falls to 0-2.
By the Hoops Nightly Desk · updated 3 d ago01The story of the nightThe turning pointIndiana scored 38 in the first quarter and led 38-31.
Indiana scored 38 in the first quarter and led 38-31. New Orleans answered with 35 in the second while the Pacers managed only 18, and the Pelicans went to halftime up 66-56. That was their biggest lead at 10 points. Indiana cut into it with 30 in the third against 26, and still trailed 92-86 heading into the fourth. Then the Pacers scored 37 in the final quarter and held New Orleans to 28. The game had 13 lead changes. Indiana's biggest lead was 9. The fourth quarter decided it, and the Pacers finished 123-120.
02Top performersPascal Siakam led Indiana with 30 points and 8 rebounds on 13/23 shooting.
Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 30 points and 8 rebounds on 13/23 shooting. Tyrese Haliburton added 23 points and 12 assists, and he made all 5 of his free throws. Obi Toppin scored 20 off the bench on 7/12 shooting, including 4/9 from three. Andrew Nembhard had 18 points and 9 assists, and Ivica Zubac had 16 points and 15 rebounds. For New Orleans, Dejounte Murray scored 23 with 7 assists and 3 blocks. Zion Williamson had 22 points on 7/16 shooting and went 6/6 at the line. Yves Missi finished with 13 points and 14 rebounds on 5/6 shooting.
03Where it was wonIndiana won inside and in transition.
Indiana won inside and in transition. The Pacers scored 64 points in the paint to 48 for New Orleans. They also had 27 fast-break points to the Pelicans' 10. The Pacers shot 47/90 (52.2%) from the field, while the Pelicans shot 38/89 (42.7%). Both teams went 9/30 and 10/30 from three, so the arc did not separate them. Turnovers were close at 13 for Indiana and 14 for New Orleans, and each team had 16 points off turnovers. New Orleans had the edge at the line, going 34/37 to Indiana's 20/29. The Pelicans also won the rebounding 55-52 and the bench scoring 43-32. It was not enough.
04What it meansIndiana is now 1-1 and sits 9th in the East.
Indiana is now 1-1 and sits 9th in the East. The Pacers are 1-1 over their last 10 games, and this result ended a one-game losing streak. They did it with Siakam, Haliburton and Toppin all producing, and with a strong fourth quarter after a poor second. New Orleans falls to 0-2 and is 13th in the West. The Pelicans have lost two straight, and they are 0-2 over their last 10. They led by as many as 10 and had 43 bench points, but they gave up 64 points in the paint and 27 fast-break points. Fixing that defense is the first job for the Pelicans.
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